As the date for promulgating the constitution on January 22 was nearing and still there was no consensus among the parties, the President Yadav expressed concern about constitution-drafting. He met the leaders of the ruling coalition, Congress and UML, and main opposition UCPN (M) and Tarai-Madhes-centred parties separately and suggested to reach a consensus quickly to draft the constitution.

Yadav suggested Congress and UML leaders to be serious in constitution-drafting and move forward based on consensus. The ruling coalition leaders informed that there was a slim possibility of promulgating the constitution based on consensus.2 They also informed the president that they were in favour of promulgating the constitution by following the procedures even if there was no consensus. The president suggested them to move forward by forging consensus with the opposition parties. He also drew their attention to the fact the previous Constituent Assembly failed due to lack of consensus among the parties.

Flexibility urged on Federalism

Congress, UML, UCPN (M), and Madhes-centred parties sat down for talks again to forge a consensus on the disputed issues of the constitution. In the meeting, Congress and UML urged UCPN (M) and Tarai-centred parties to be flexible on the issue of federalism. They had requested both parties to be flexible saying that they were ready to be flexible on other issues. In the meeting, the ruling parties clarified that they were not ready to restructure the states by splitting the hills from the Tarai. UCPN (M) and Tarai-based parties instead urged Congress and UML to be flexible and if there was flexibility on their part on federalism, they were ready to be flexible as well.

Meanwhile, in a joint meeting of the chief of valley party committee, chief of people’s organisation, and chiefs of central and zonal liaison committees, and representatives in its party office, general secretary Ishwor Pokharel said that the if UCPN (M) and other parties become flexible on the issue of state restructuring, the constitution will be promulgated based on consensus. He said that the party was ready to follow mixed election system as well as for a constitutional court, as long the judiciary was not divided, for a maximum of 10 years with fixed responsibility, duties, and jurisdiction.3 As there was no consensus despite discussions and talks, UCPN (M) chairperson Dahal stated that there was a risk of scuffle within the Constituent Assembly due to the arrogance of Congress and UML.